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Tigers tab Anibal to start second-half opener

Tigers tab Anibal to start second-half opener

7/6/13: Anibal Sanchez scatters three hits and strikes out four over five strong frames of one-run ball in his return from the disabled list

By Bobby Nightengale
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MLB.com |

DETROIT -- Manager Jim Leyland and his coaching staff have constantly been monitoring the Tigers' starting pitchers' workload this season. With that in mind, the second-half rotation was set up to provide each pitcher with at least an extra day of rest.

Anibal Sanchez will open for the Tigers after the All-Star break against the Royals on Friday, with Justin Verlander and Doug Fister pitching on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

"Sanchez should be pretty fresh," Leyland said. "They will all get some extra time now."

Max Scherzer will follow in Monday's game against the White Sox, while Rick Porcello is scheduled to take the mound Tuesday to round out the starting rotation.

"I feel good," Sanchez said after his last start. "For me the location wasn't working like I'm used to doing. I think I need to work a little bit and do something with it. Right now, it is the end of the first half and the second half is coming now, and I just need to work on it."

Bobby Nightengale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @nightengalejr. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.